Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid is no stranger to utilizing great running backs.
Chiefs legend Jamaal Charles had two of the most productive years of his career under Reid. Although the running back position has been inconsistent since Charles left, guys like Kareem Hunt, Damien Williams, and Isiah Pacheco have had stretches of high level play under Reid.
During his days as the Philadelphia Eagles‘ coach, running backs Brian Westbrook and LeSean McCoy put up huge numbers. Late in his career, McCoy spent the 2019 season with Reid in Kansas City, appearing in 13 games in a rotational role. McCoy is one of the shiftiest and explosive backs in NFL history, and could end up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day.
Andy Reid Compares Kansas City Chiefs Rookie RB Emmett Johnson to LeSean McCoy
GettyChiefs RB Emmett Johnson
Reid spoke to the media on Saturday as the Chiefs are holding rookie minicamp throughout the weekend, and had several compliments for Johnson, who Kansas City selected in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
“He’s got a good feel for things,” Reid said of Johnson. “Smart kid, good kid. He’s got that lateral quickness. We had LeSean McCoy here for a bit. He’s got a little bit of that to him, where he can shift gears and still get himself up field quickly. I like the way he pass protects. I like the way he catches the football. The catching part he does easy. Most of all, I like his smarts. He’s going to help on special teams, too. Dave (special teams coordinator Dave Toub) has him in that upback position on the punt team.”
Some were surprised when the Chiefs selected Johnson after signing Kenneth Walker III and Emari Demercado in free agency. That decision could have been heavily influenced by Reid since Johnson reminds him so much of McCoy. In four seasons with Reid in Philadelphia, McCoy recorded 3,866 rushing yards, 1,590 receiving yards, and 38 total touchdowns.
Emmett Johnson set for do-it-all role with Chiefs in 2026
Reid is known to throw a lot at his rookies and see how the respond. He went on to say that Johnson’s expansive skillset will open up a lot of different ways for him to contribute.
“It’s important in this offense that you’re able to catch the ball,” Reid said. “You got to be able to block, and he’s shown that. The more you can do, we’ll utilize you in those areas. And it puts pressure on the defense.”
Johnson will compete with Demercado and second-year back Brashard Smith for snaps behind starter Walker. Demercado has an edge with overall experience and NFL playmaking, and Smith has the edge of already being in Reid’s offense for a year.
However, Johnson may have an edge at being the most well-rounded back of the three. He proved he can be a workhorse during his final year at Nebraska, recording 1,451 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 251 carries, as well as 370 receiving yards and three TDs on 46 receptions. Johnson, Demercado, and Smith will also likely compete for kick and punt return duties.
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